It was something that was just weighing on my mind today.
I feel like a doormat sometimes and find it so hard to say “No” out of fear of making someone mad or even when I say “Yes” it’s hard not to feel like the door swings open and it becomes impossible to say “No” out of fear of rejection and well…someone would get mad. There is also that fear of saying, “You know this is not really a nice thing” and being afraid of the reaction.

I’m definitely still learning myself that God didn’t create us to be doormats. It’s not an easy road and I’m trying.

Part of encouraging is not being afraid to speak up. Someone at some point in our life did. Our Heavenly Father isn’t shy and it’s not because He hates us but wants to offer us freedom and something better than what our sins do to us.

Lol, the hard part is for us, ourselves to take that step too. Praise God, He loves us and holds our hands as we take those steps and try.

I’ve always loved this verse in Isaiah 7:9: “”If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all.”and it’s like a reinforcement to 1 Corinthians 16:13,”Remain alert. Keep standing firm in your faith. Keep on being courageous and strong.”

God’s not wanting us to be busybodies but sometimes the best way to encourage others is by not enabling as well and that’s hard in these days and times.

It’s almost okay to be “not okay”. Hmmm…not sure if that made sense? LOL

I can’t say I’ve been perfect myself and I think I’ve looked around for a good tree to run up and hide in,lol, but there are times when we really are at that crossroads where we have to worry who are we going to displease? Our Heavenly Father or men?

The truth does hurt sometimes, but the truth can set us free at the same time and for me, I think if a person is truly open to His word, part of that is accepting that just like any of us, their not perfect either.

I was reading in “Lies Women Believe” that one thing we have to remember about critics is that basically nothing we do will make them happy because in a nutshell, the one thing that does make them happy is criticizing so even if we do what they want, they are going to find something to complain about.

I also don’t think God meant us to be doormats and that is so so hard. There are many who just want to be encourager’s and to please and that’s not a bad thing, it really isn’t, but we have to be careful too that we don’t let someone use us so much.

Galatians 1:10 “Obviously, I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant.”

People can read the bible all their lives and go to church every day and still not have that personal relationship with Jesus Christ and the only light they will have to lead them to their relationship are those who are willing to take up their cross and let their lives be a shining light to Christ.

Take heart dear friend, think of yourself as a lighthouse in the dark. Even though it stands alone, because of the light it shines, it leads the ships into safety and to safe harbor. You maybe the ONLY lighthouse around to lead people from sin.

Matthew 5:14-16
“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

Okay…did that just terrified you enough at the thought?? Lol, *Hugs* God bless you AmyDeanne.

Like you said, this is such a big topic for many people and I think especially harder for the Christian woman, because God created us to be nurturers and comforters, not only to our husbands, but to our families, to those who are in need in the body of Christ and to those who have yet to know Christ.

Praise God that through it all, He is there for us to guide us, encourage us, to comfort us and He also gave us chocolate if things got that bad! Lol